Portraits in Watercolor

Develop confidence and spontaneity with watercolor as artist Matt Rota guides you in detail through the process of watercolor portraiture.

Let New York artist Matt Rota help you understand and exploit the seemingly untamable nature of flowing water as you paint from the general to the specific, incorporating graduated washes, hard and soft edges and warm and cool tones into a stunningly accurate watercolor portrait. Take advantage of watercolor’s portability and affordability, plus the expertise of New York artist Rota, who will be available to look at your work and answer any questions that arise as you paint. Get unprecedented access and close-up views of Rota's palette and brushwork, allowing you to observe his process as if in a private workshop.
Embrace a world made with translucent washes of pure pigment.

Lesson 1. Meet Matt Rota

Lesson 2. Papers, Brushes & Colors

Lesson 3. Washes

Learn how to effectively use watercolor washes, including blending colors, creating gradients, and creating hard and soft edges.

44:57

Lesson 4. Creating a Tonal Study

Learn to identify light, medium and dark tones and paint a tonal study.

50:41

Lesson 5. Beginning the Portrait

Choose paint and create a preliminary drawing of the subject's face. Block in shadow shapes.

41:12

Lesson 6. Adding Color

Discover the range of cool to warm colors and begin painting the background and face.

1:07:25

Lesson 7. Dense Colors & Details

Mix dense colors and add further details to the portrait.

2:07:25

Lesson 8. Details & Touch Ups

Continue to refine your painting, learn to touch up with opaque medium and finish the portrait.

12:08

Lesson 9. Bonus: Mixing Neutral & Primary Colors

Learn to mix neutral colors and how they work with primary colors.

"I have been eyeing this class for a while now and finally just decided to take it and I am glad I did. I love portraits and watercolors and have been looking to learn how to understand color, volume, shadow and put it all together to make a good portrait. Matt is an excellent teacher, I have now take several of his classes. He gives tons of info, walks you through understanding color, shadow, and how to put it all together, even if you don't know much when you start. Fantastic teacher and wonderful class." - michelle214

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Lesson plan

12:07

Lesson 1. Meet Matt Rota

Meet instructor Rota and discover what you'll learn in this class.

33:22

Lesson 2. Papers, Brushes & Colors

Go over watercolor supplies, including paper, brushes and colors.

32:58

Lesson 3. Washes

Learn how to effectively use watercolor washes, including blending colors, creating gradients, and creating hard and soft edges.

44:57

Lesson 4. Creating a Tonal Study

Learn to identify light, medium and dark tones and paint a tonal study.

50:41

Lesson 5. Beginning the Portrait

Choose paint and create a preliminary drawing of the subject's face. Block in shadow shapes.

41:12

Lesson 6. Adding Color

Discover the range of cool to warm colors and begin painting the background and face.

1:07:25

Lesson 7. Dense Colors & Details

Mix dense colors and add further details to the portrait.

2:07:25

Lesson 8. Details & Touch Ups

Continue to refine your painting, learn to touch up with opaque medium and finish the portrait.

12:08

Lesson 9. Bonus: Mixing Neutral & Primary Colors

Learn to mix neutral colors and how they work with primary colors.

The instructor

Matt Rota, Instructor of Portraits in Watercolor

Matt Rota is a New York-based illustrator and fine artist specializing in narrative technique with watercolor and ink media. He currently teaches undergraduate courses in fine art and illustration at the School of Visual Art in New York City and The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. His clients include The New York Times, McSweeney's, The Washington Post and other publications. He has received recognition and numerous awards and was listed as one of the top 200 illustrators in the world by Lurzer's Int'l Archive.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(14 reviews)

Wonderful!!

by tcmjen4608039 on February 23, 2015

The instructor is so clear and really understands how to teach beginners - thank you!

The instructor is so clear and really understands how to teach beginners - thank you!

Detail And Sense

by cristina.6896770 on February 22, 2015

I'm so happy with this class. As a beginner, I think I'll be able to take a big step forward thanks to Matt and his kind professionalism, and hopefully overcome my fear of messing up!

I'm so happy with this class. As a beginner, I think I'll be able to take a big step forward thanks to Matt and his kind professionalism, and hopefully overcome my fear of messing up!

Excellent Class..Detailed Instructions!!Love it!!

by Appus on January 28, 2015

A great class for a newbie and experienced persons. He explained everything in very detail which nobody would do !! Very indepth knowledge he has..I would recommend this class.. !

A great class for a newbie and experienced persons. He explained everything in very detail which nobody would do !! Very indepth knowledge he has..I would recommend this class.. !